Winners on Friday night and Saturday advance to the football state tournament, the first one in recent memory to get started before Halloween. Here’s how staff writers Jim Paulsen (25-11) and David La Vaque (23-13) carve up some of the top games:

Hopkins (3-6) at Osseo (6-3), 7 p.m.

David says: Each team averaged almost 30 points per game so it’s tempting to bet the over. Rain in the Friday evening forecast, however, could slow the pace. Hopkins, upset darlings last week, will battle. But a full-strength Osseo team, at home, has the edge.

Pick: Osseo 24, Hopkins 21

Jim says: Looking back, Hopkins’ upset of Rosemount wasn’t a huge surprise. Hopkins can score with anyone but struggles defensively. Rosemount’s grinding style left the Irish vulnerable. Not the case with Osseo, which can score in myriad ways.

Pick: Osseo 34, Hopkins 24

Edina (4-5) at Burnsville (8-1), 7 p.m.

David says: When the bracket came out, Edina looked best suited to make a surprise state run. The Hornets’ offense can run and throw and the defense is stout. Quarterback Brock Boltmann won’t be 100 percent but Edina finds a way.

Pick: Edina 21, Burnsville 17

Jim says: It’s tempting to underestimate Burnsville, David, but it’s too late to do that now. The Blaze have answered every question asked. Defense wins in the postseason and Burnsville’s holds opponents to just over 10 points per game.

Pick: Burnsville 20, Edina 13

Rogers (8-1) at St. Michael-Albertville (8-1), 7 p.m.

David says: St. Michael-Albertville’s offense overwhelmed Rogers earlier this season and shows no signs of slowing. Quarterback Jacob Veire, wideout Isaiah Weston and running backs Mitchell Kartes and Eric Sjelin each tallied more than 100 yards last week.

Pick: St. Michael-Albertville 35, Rogers 14

Jim says: Rogers is 32-6 over the past four years with four of those losses at the hands of the rival Knights. The Royals will be plenty motivated, yes, but emotion only goes so far. Talent eventually shows through, and St. Michael has just a little bit more.

Pick: St. Michael-Albertville 26, Rogers 23

Becker (9-0) at Orono (9-0), Saturday, 7 p.m.

David says: Defending Class 4A state champion Becker deserves respect. And the Bulldogs defeated Orono in this game last season. Which is why a talented, hungry Spartans team gets even in the rematch.

Pick: Orono 30, Becker 27

Jim says: I’ve changed my mind a half-dozen times on this one. I love the versatility and speed of Orono’s offense, but the Bulldogs have big-game experience and Division I-caliber linemen in Dillon Radunz and Casey Vesledahl. Size matters.

Pick: Becker 38, Orono 27